Opelousas woman allegedly shoots pet llama after it attacks her

An Opelousas woman was arrested for allegedly shooting her llama after it attacked her.

According to a release from the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office, on Feb. 15, deputies responded to a reported animal attacking its owner, identified as Madeline Bourgeois, on Montgomery Road in Opelousas.

Bourgeois told the deputies that she had been working in her pasture when the llama attacked her. She said she "hit the llama repeatedly in an attempt to stop the attack," according to the release.Then, once she was able to exit the pasture, she went into her home to retrieve a gun before returning to the pasture and shooting the llama three times, the release states.

The injured llama was found limping in the pasture. Animal Control responded and took possession of the injured animal. The animal was transported to the LSU Veterinary Clinic in Baton Rouge for treatment.

According to a post on the St. Landry Parish Animal Control & Rescue Facebook page, the llama, whose name is Earl, had bullets lodged in his neck, shoulder and abdomen.

"According to the law, Bourgeois had every right to defend herself while being attacked, but was no longer in danger after escaping the pasture," Guidroz said. Bourgeois should have called a vet or animal control for assistance."